New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-30
OPERA ON A GRAND SCALE.
READY FOR THE METROPOLITAN SEASON.

opens once more at the Metropolitan Opera House
on next Wednesday evening with tristan und
Isolde" bids fair to surpass previous seasons at
that house. The preparations not only for the
| opening night but for the entire season have been
made with the foresight and experienced eye for
which Director Stanton has won reputation. The
| advance sales have been up to the standard. The
interest In the season from the social point of view
has not abated. while the prospect of the produce
ton for the first time bere of "Siegfried" and
Die Goetterdaemmerung" adds another pronis-
| ing factor to make the season successful
as well as eventful. This will
extend to February IS, 1888, and will
consist of sixty-three performances, including
forty-sevcn subscription nights and sixteen matt
nees The operas to be given Rienz," Tam
hauser," "Lohengrin." "Melstersnger," "Tris
tan und Isolde" Walkure,' "Segfried," Got
terdammerung,' Queen of Sheba,' Merlin"
Der Irompeter Sakkingen." Prophet"
Fidelio," Ferdinand Cortez," "Aida"" Fury
anthe' La Juve" and Faust" Don Juan"
is announced a possibility. In the last two
weeks of the season it is intended that the
NibeluDgcn Trilogy, consisting of Walkure."
Siegfried" and "Gotterdammerung," shall be
given.
In preparation for these productions necessarily
involving vast amount of labor. the heads of the
various departments at the Metropolitan have been
in constant activity of late. They have not been
In n whirl for Mr.. Stanton has the faculty of in
sIlling the idea of steady and unremittng labor
into those around him, tina: the machinery of the
house works quietly although with great effect.
The arrival of Conductor Seidl week ago was
the signal for orchestral rchearsals which had been
preceded b. property rehearsals for Siegried."
But these only signs Of the times at the Metro
potan
A GLIMPSE OF THE DRAGON.
t,;atf tb. ,,,Ya Of Z ba bonc IiCai
the basement caverns gwen over to properties and
chat with A. J. }radwell, the propert ;-master
and arnorcr, indicate some of the preparatory work
which is essential to all ull-iiedged rehearsals.
During the last week the stage has been redOlent
of "Siegfried' The most striking property in this
opera is the thirty foot dragon, of which something
has been heard but little seen. His 5000 corus-
eating scales study he stands at the rear of
the stage, with red mouth agaDe, this huge green
eyes ready for the electric light his tongue of red
linen prepared to plunge forth in wrath his splay
feet of enormous size designed TO move his
manipulation inside shall step. and his ghntlng
teeth on edge for victim. Steam
issues from mouth aud nostris through small
fiat pipes The monster makes his appearance
in the second 2c., coming forth from cavern to
drink M Siclfred reclines under huge tree. This
tree is an apparently massive product in itself,
and its gnarled trunk and big roots protruding
above ground are an interesting study in PAPER
machc. Tall bulrushes have been prepared to
heghten the effect of the scene. Mr.. Bradwell is
preparing elaborate properties for ID r Trompeter,r
and II expected that the great procession 10 the
opera will be the finest thing of the kind seen in
this country. All the trades are to be represented
each with its distinguishing features. There will |
be large floats representing the vintages groups of
bacchanaliau jewellers. the legendary trophies of
the Rhine and other features tending to striking
and picturesque effect. TIE work this already
well under way, rs we'll also as the preparation of
properties for Euryanthe.'
For Ferdinand Cortcz,' which it is expected |
will bo reached IN December. the most noticeable |
property is the huge model of the god Tale
pulka. This creature of clay now lies in |
n lower room with wOrkmen engaged its |
bulk. which is six feet in diameter and thirteen
feet N height, without the pedestal. Henry f. |
Hoyt the scenic artist under Mr. Stantons careful |
suggestion. has not trusted even to his own we'll |
chosen library for correctness getting the feat
urcs and form of rho Aztec god but he has
flied il through the Aston Library. One work
largely relied on Is Charnay Ancient Cities of
the New World" not only for this god but for
others as well for architecture and scenes.
Tacpnlka will have plasler-of-Pars impressions
in eighteen parts and from these the final PAPER
machc god will be evolved only to be shat
tered IN TIE last act. some l,oDO pounds Ell clay
nave been used IN the model and a ton of plaster
of-Paris will be required for impressions. The god
will require the work of dozen men for somo
three weeks 10 bring him out III his perfection
He has 10 be cut and dried and trimmed. rubbed
down and smoOthed and made 10 regulation order
BysY on TrIE Bio BRIDGE
Mr.. Iloyts active and sturdy form and genial
big bridge. He has been busy with
scenery for "Fcrilnaud Cortez" recently The
work for the first act is upon the vcstlbule OF the
great temple, which gives Il blrdscye view of the
City of Mexico IN the background. 1t Is u night
scene and the vestbuc affords room for the group
ing Of some G00people The god Talepnlka Is IN
the foreground beneath HIM are confined the
prisoners captured by the Mcxlcans. good many
Of those are supposed to he on hand ~ Ialepuka
demands "A sacrifice of some 20 O0J victims an
nually so some records state Mr. Iloyt is greatly
the scenery and his studies for 1t and
thinks that the production of Ferdinand Cortez
will give tho New York public much light on Aztec
architecture Tho first scene OF tho third act dis
closes the royal cemetery. and IN this Mr.. Ioyt viii
be seen 10 great advantage for it is n moonlight I
scene with soft tropical effects. huge cactuses
towering up in the pale light, monster god occu-
pying the left The cncampmcnt Of Cortcz at Vera .
Cruz and the Bleaching and burning of his ships
with natives bringing gifts and forming u =,
ballet, will furnish one Interesting scene The III
terror of the great temple with its colossal monu-
mcnts, among them the idol Talepuka. appears IN a
the final scene of the opera when the temple Is de
,troyed and the City of Mexico is seen burning III
he background.
The scenery for " Siegfried' has been brought .
Tor the most part from Germany. \ IRE curtain t
lcvscd by Mr. HOyt will be used IN the hre scene b
little has vet been done on the scenery Tor " Der 81
Ironpeter and Euryauthe.p IL would appear
hat i'm Tho way of new scenery "Ferdlnand Corter .,
vii take the lead this season at the Metropolitan.
md the architectural parts will be wholly ew.
TIE GROUPINGS AND MACHINERY. 81
The new stage manager. Theodore Habclmann. is
ouIet, unassuuling man of quick movements, WHO !"
las already won the goodwill OF his associates.
10 was brought up ON grand opera and so